An analysis of heating fuel market behavior, 1989--1990
The purpose of this report is to fully assess the heating fuel crisis from a broader and longer-term perspective. Using EIA final, monthly data, in conjunction with credible information from non-government sources, the pricing phenomena exhibited by heating fuels in late December 1989 and early January 1990 are described and evaluated in more detail and more accurately than in the interim report. Additionally, data through February 1990 (and, in some cases, preliminary figures for March) make it possible to assess the market impact of movements in prices and supplies over the heating season as a whole. Finally, the longer time frame and the availability of quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission make it possible to weigh the impact of revenue gains in December and January on overall profits over the two winter quarters. Some of the major, related issues raised during the House and Senate hearings in January concerned the structure of heating fuel markets and the degree to which changes in this structure over the last decade may have influenced the behavior and financial performance of market participants. Have these markets become more concentrated Was collusion or market manipulation behind December's rising prices Did these, or other, factors permit suppliers to realize excessive profits What additional costs were incurred by consumers as a result of such forces These questions, and others, are addressed in the course of this report.
- Research Organization:
- USDOE Energy Information Administration, Washington, DC (USA). Office of Oil and Gas
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/AD
- OSTI ID:
- 6129838
- Report Number(s):
- SR/OG-90-01; ON: DE91005275
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Effects of interruptible natural gas service: Winter 1989--1990
Home heating oil prices and supplies. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Energy and Power of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House of Representatives, Ninety-Fifth Congress
Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
HEATING OILS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
MARKET
PRICES
PROFITS
REFINING
SHORTAGES
SPOT MARKET
SUPPLY AND DEMAND
ECONOMICS
FUEL OILS
FUELS
LIQUID FUELS
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PROCESSING
020700* - Petroleum- Economics
Industrial
& Business Aspects
294002 - Energy Planning & Policy- Petroleum